Benchmark: timing 100 iterations of Alan, Ase, Maverick...
      Alan: 93 wallclock secs (92.95 usr +  0.00 sys = 92.95 CPU)
       Ase:  1 wallclock secs ( 1.03 usr +  0.00 sys =  1.03 CPU)
  Maverick:  1 wallclock secs ( 1.65 usr +  0.01 sys =  1.66 CPU)